<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from
Provident Bancorp, Inc.'s 10-Q for June 30, 1995 and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1995
<CASH>                                         156,960
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                11,975
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                    657,523
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                         253,783
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                           254,697
<LOANS>                                      4,394,802
<ALLOWANCE>                                     54,275
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               5,607,455
<DEPOSITS>                                   3,981,752
<SHORT-TERM>                                   677,397
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                             97,400
<LONG-TERM>                                    459,985
<COMMON>                                        10,436
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                     37,000
<OTHER-SE>                                     343,485
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>               5,607,455
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                197,191
<INTEREST-INVEST>                               22,171
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                   746
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                               220,108
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                              96,255
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             124,928
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                           95,180
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                    5,000
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                   0
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                 66,205
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 47,616
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                      31,475
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    31,475
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.89
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.72
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    3.81
<LOANS-NON>                                     18,586
<LOANS-PAST>                                     4,717
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                 5,721
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                 43,702
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                51,979
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                    6,483
<RECOVERIES>                                     3,779
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                               54,275
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                            54,275
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0